Friday, December 6, 2013

cold and...snow?

pretty but frosty

You know it is colder than usual when a friend from update New York emails you to ponder: "How is it colder in Auburn than the Hudson Valley?"

I know we northern Californian's look like wimps to the midwest or anywhere north, but honestly, 20 degrees overnight? And snow possible?! That is record cold for this area, I actually broke out the midweight blanket for Major, he'll be warm and cozy, and love to make him a warm mash, just to make ME feel better. This cold snap is across the county, so everyone and your horses stay warm!

But it's Friday, and as long as everyone is cold and inside, here is the best new version of a holiday song, ever! Captain Picard sings "Let it Snow!" Now I'm going to have some tea. Earl Gray, hot.

I wrestled with the question of whether or not to blanket last night, but Farley has SUCH a fuzzy wuzzy coat, and a REALLY nice shelter and when I saw her late last night was perky and warm so I decided not too. She gets SO naked in the summer, and in the winter she fuzzes up more or less - it's like she KNOWS whether it will be cold or not. I was admiring her fuzzy coat (fuzzier than usual) a couple weeks ago and I commented to a friend that I bet we were going to get some cold temperatures. HOW DO THE HORSES KNOW?????????

Maybe they know from seeing all the damn acorns this year, so many! Though that may be more a sign of drought than cold.

I think in most temps the horses know, and are fine. Major has a roof overhead and a couple trees, but no real wind break. And he also doesn't grow much winter fur. I usually only pull out the blanket for below freezing for multiple hours or cold rain/wind combo.

At the stable the barn owner just LIKES to blanket. They put blankets on, take them off, and most times I just leave out his lightweight and let them do their thing. It's a good barn but tends to be on the side of more-is-more (I'm definitely a less-is-more). Boarding compromises.

Farley has a FOUR sided shelter with a small horse sized door in one side, so that was the deciding factor in my not blanketing. I know what you mean...I boarded for a short time in a facility on the more side and I let them blanket Farley. At this stable, NO ONE blankets - although the old skinnier ones will have a blanket on - so I didn't feel any peer pressure :)